We’re midway through July and all is good here on the Gallatin River… the same goes for the Madison and Yellowstone. Could we use more water? Sure, but we’re not in bad shape. A recent cool front moved through southwest Montana bringing with it some welcome precipitation – including a few inches of fresh snow in the high country. The rivers are fishing really well right now with moderate water temperatures, good hatches, and happy fish. With below-average temperatures in the forecast, we expect this trend to continue over the coming week.
The rivers are busy, which is to be expected at this time of year. It’s the reality of fly fishing in southwest Montana and we’re certainly not complaining… it’s how we make our living. But we all need to be mindful of protecting our fisheries. Practicing catch and release is a great starting point, but it goes beyond that. It’s about respecting and appreciating the fish, the rivers, and the land.
We’re at that point in the summer where anglers are experiencing some of the best fishing early and late in the day, which also happens to be a great way to beat the crowds. Many anglers don’t show up to the river until mid-morning and they stow away the rods with plenty of time to ensure they don’t miss cocktail hour. That’s understandable – we’re not going to judge, but the whiskey can wait… trust us, it’ll be worth it.
Let us know what you need to help make your trip a success. Stop by the shop for a great selection of the hottest patterns, or to arrange a day of guided fishing and let us do what we do best… put people on fish!
GALLATIN RIVER FISHING REPORT
The Gallatin has settled back into prime shape following a spate of rain and snow that briefly muddied the river. Daily insect emergences have the fish looking up, and the nymph bite is red hot.
Not much has changed on the Gallatin, save for a brief interruption due to heavy rains that muddied the river for a couple of days earlier this week. The high country of the Madison and Gallatin Ranges received a few inches of fresh July snow with the storm, and the lower elevations benefited from a good rainfall.
Water levels and temperatures remain in good shape from the river’s headwaters in Yellowstone National Park down to the mouth of Gallatin Canyon… that’s more than sixty miles of world-class trout water to explore. The park water is producing some good-size rainbows that are willing to take well presented dries (although dropping a beadhead off of your dry is a good insurance policy), but this water isn’t for everyone. This reach of the river fishes inconsistently (perhaps due to colder water temperatures), takes a bit more finesse, and a willingness to fish in prime grizzly habitat – but if you find yourself in the midst of a good hatch it will all be worth it.
Further downstream along the more civilized reaches of the river, the fishing is much more consistent with good caddis action late in the day along with sporadic dry fly production with PMDs and Yellow Sallies. Attractor dries – including some larger patterns – continue to get some attention from trout for those anglers willing to stick with it throughout the day. If you’re blind fishing with a dry, we’d highly recommend that you drop a nymph off of it to help ensure that you see some steady action.
The trend towards smaller nymphs continues, with size 18 mayfly nymphs taking more than their fair share of fish. Top patterns have included the venerable Pheasant Tail and just about any legitimate variation that you can think of… Flashback Pheasant Tails, Soft-Hackle Pheasant Tails, CDC Pheasant Tails, Trina’s Bubbleback, Lightning Bug, etc., etc.
Give us a call to book a day of guided fishing on the Gallatin, or stop by the shop for the best selection of top producing flies!
Dries: Stimulator (Yellow) #14-16, Elk Hair Caddis (Yellow/Tan/Olive) #14-16, X-Caddis (Olive) #14-16, Lime Trude #12-16, Sparkle Dun (PMD) #16-18, Sparkle Dun (Green Drake) #12, Purple Haze #14-18
Nymphs: Pheasant Tail #16-18, Soft-Hackle Pheasant Tail #16-18, Soft-Hackle Hare’s Ear #16-18, Lightning Bug #16-18, Copper John #14-16, Beadhead Yellow Sally #14-16, CDC Emerger #14-18, Shop Vac #16-18, Serendipity (Red/Crystal) #16-18, Zebra Midge (Black/Olive) #18-20
Streamers: Sparkle Minnow #4-6, Bow River Bugger #4-6, Home Invader #2-6, McCune’s Sculpin#4, Gonga #4. Be sure to have an array of colors represented in your streamer box including: white, yellow, olive, natural/tan, and black.
UPPER MADISON FISHING REPORT
The upper Madison is in top form, cold flows plus good hatches equal willing trout and happy anglers.
Each week we keep thinking that it can’t possibly get any better on the Madison, but somehow it does. There’s a lot of fishing pressure on the river, but it doesn’t seem to matter – the fishing remains excellent throughout both the walk/wade and float reaches of the river.
The dry fly fishing is there if you want it… all day long more or less – late morning and late evening seem to be the best bets on the dry fly thanks to the respective hatches of pale morning duns and caddis. During non-hatch periods many anglers are finding good results with small attractor patterns such as Trudes, Wulffs, and small Stimulators.
Some impressive daily catch rates are being had by anglers committing to double nymph rigs… 10, 20, 30 fish days aren’t out of the norm right now depending upon the skill level of the angler. Nymphs in the size 16- to 18-range have been the top producers with patterns such as the Serendipity, Shop Vac, Soft-Hackle Pheasant Tail, and Lightning Bug.
Whether you prefer the upper walk/wade reaches of the Madison, or the famous float stretch you really can’t go wrong right now. Call us today to reserve your guide dates for the summer!
Nymphs: Pats’ Rubber Legs #8, Mega Prince #8, Pheasant Tail #16-18, Soft-Hackle Lightning Bug #16-18, Lightning Bug #16-18, Shop Vac #16-18, $3 Dip #16-18, Crystal Dip #16-18, Anato-May #16, Military May #16
Dries: Stimulator (Yellow) #14, Elk Hair Caddis (Tan/Olive) #14-16, X-Caddis (Olive) #14-16, Trude (Lime/Adams Grey) #12-16, Sparkle Dun (PMD) #16-18, Sparkle Dun (Green Drake) #12
Streamers: Sex Dungeon #4, Circus Peanut #4, Barely Legal, Sparkle Minnow #4-6, Bow River Bugger #4-6, Home Invader #2-6, McCune’s Sculpin#4, Gonga #4. Be sure to have an array of colors represented in your streamer box including: white, yellow, olive, natural/tan, and black.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER FISHING REPORT
The Yellowstone is clearing up nicely following a few days of reduced water clarity due to significant rainfall. Expect the river to fish very well this weekend with the possibility of a great streamer bite.
The Yellowstone is fishing well, but has been experiencing some mud plugs due to rainfall in the park. Guides and anglers are almost always able to work around these mud plugs and fishing behind them as the river clears can yield great results.
Caddis and PMDs are out and anglers who are dedicated to the dry fly can expect some action. Larger attractor dries are getting some attention, particularly early and late in the day. The nocturnal stonefly has started and is responsible for the productivity of patterns such as the Chubby Chernobyl… at dawn and dusk any large, low riding stonefly imitation will get a lot of attention as these stoneflies become active along the banks.
The nymph fishing has been solid with tandem rigs consisting of a larger lead fly (Wooly Bugger, Pat’s Rubber Leg, Bow River Bugger, Sparkle Minnow or Zonker to name a few) trailed by a smaller beadhead nymph (Shop Vacs, CDC Pheasant Tails, Serendipities and Lightning Bugs have been productive). Ripping streamers off the banks has had its moments, but has slowed considerably with the increased insect activity… smaller streamers dead drifted below an indicator have been finding more success.
Dries: Chubby Chernobyl (tan) #8-10, Stimulator (Yellow) #14, Elk Hair Caddis (Tan/Olive) #14-16, X-Caddis (Olive) #14-16, Lime Trude #12-16, Sparkle Dun (PMD) #16-18, Purple Haze #14-18
Nymphs: Pats’ Rubber Legs #8, Mega Prince #8, San Juan Worm (Red) #12, CDC Pheasant Tail #16-18, Pheasant Tail #16-18, Lightning Bug #16-18, Copper John #14-16, Beadhead Yellow Sally #14, CDC Emerger #14-18, Shop Vac #16, Serendipity (Red/Crystal) #16-18.
Streamers: Sex Dungeon #4, Circus Peanut #4, Barely Legal, Sparkle Minnow #4-6, Bow River Bugger #4-6, Home Invader #2-6, McCune’s Sculpin#4, Gonga #4. Be sure to have an array of colors represented in your streamer box including: white, yellow, olive, natural/tan, and black.
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK FISHING REPORT
The Firehole and Madison have warmed considerably and are largely out of play for anglers. The Gibbon remains a productive option on the west side, and the entire Yellowstone watershed is in prime summer form.
The Firehole and Madison in the park have warmed considerably and are no longer good options. The Gibbon River is fishing well along its entire length, providing a good option for anglers on the west side of the park. Further north, the Yellowstone is in prime shape with good attractor dry fly fishing. The Yellowstone’s tributaries including the Lamar River and Slough Creek are in prime shape with daily emergences of PMDs and drakes bringing trout to the surface.
Give us a call (800-423-4742) to discuss planning your own trip.
Dries: Adams #18-20, Sparkle Dun – Olive (baetis), Yellow (PMD) #18-20, Purple Haze #18-20, Light Cahill #16-18
Nymphs: Pheasant Tail #18-20, Soft-Hackle Pheasant Tail #18-20, CDC Emerger #18-20, Partridge & Olive Soft Hackle #18-20, Lightning Bug #18-20, WD-40 #18-20, RS-2 #18-20, Pat’s Rubber Leg #8
